Category: Dover Athletic

The Crabble Fortress? Lets hope so! Due to other work commitments it was the first time for me covering the new look Dover Athletic under new boss Andy Hessenthaler. To see them notch up their forth win this season, was a real bonus. However, I was commissioned to cover the game for Hartlepool United, awkward! What follows are just a few of my favourites in no particular order.

Hartlepool’s midfielder Patrick McLaughlin holds his head in frstration after his shot just goes wide.

Hartlepool’s forward Luke James hustles for the ball from Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle

However, there was a moment late in the game when Hartlepools keeper Scott Loach went forward for a late corner and very nearly nodded the ball in! (I still have that to get ticked off my list of shots to get in my career!)

Desperate to level the score in the dying minutes Hartlepool’s keeper Scott Loach goes forward for a corner.

Dover get off the foot of the table still with a mountain to climb to avoid relegation. At least the #hessexpress is gathering speed!

A question. Whats the hardest part of being a sports photographer shooting football? The answer, covering a game of the club you support when they are struggling and you have to get pictures that are newsworthy! roughly translated means I had to basically cover them getting stuffed and be at the end of goals!

Its been a pretty hard week/season at Dover. No Sh*t Sherlock I hear you say. But, probably not for the reasons that are immediately obvious. But enough of that as I am no pundit or reporter, I am just a humble photographer that sits and takes pictures of what happens in front of me! Here are just a few personal favourites from today’s clash against high flying Salford City FC. It was however, not the result that the club wanted but in my opinion a lot of positives to take away. To be fair the difference was this fella, Adam Rooney currently top scorer in the league, and today he bagged a hat trick in what has to be said style.

Salford’s defender Carl Piergianni celebrates with Salford’s forward Adam Rooney after scoring his hat-trick during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and Salford City FC.

I think for now, Dover’s problems are clear and simple. But as a rudderless ship adrift in the suddenly very competitive National League. However, salvation will come from a very strong leader be that who it may. It is my peronsla opinion is that at this level now to succeed you just have to be full time. But I guess this week will be full of announcements and revelations.

The National League clash between Dover Athletic FC v Barnet FC saw a lowley Dover continue their dismal start to the season going down by loosing at home by a two goals to one. Both sides getting used to unfamiliar territory. Dover who just cant seem to find first gear this year and Barnet adjusting to life back in the National League.

Here are a few of my favorites. There are plenty more in my gallery here. All are available for licence and self billing applies where applicable. If in doubt get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Barnets defender David Tutonda and Dovers forward Jamie Allen both vie for the ball.

It was a game where both stoppers kept their relative teams in the game. With some great saves.

I’m not going to turn this post into a ‘pundit like’ criticism. However, Eastleigh have one of the smallest squads in the league but played to their strengths playing possession football are were rewarded for their efforts, they deserved the win.

Unfortunately, Dover still look like a team that just have not gelled yet. Whites new signing Aryan Tajbakhsh was undoubtedly one of the good things for them to take away from what was otherwise a forgettable afternoon.

Dover Athletic FC v Wrexham FC – So the 2018 season got underway. However, it wasn’t the result that Dover were looking for loosing by a goal to nothing.

Probably, even more galling was the fact they could have been winners. If it was not for possibly the weakest penalty I have ever seen that was saved as a result and having a goal disallowed by a questionable decision. But this is football and there is a long, long way to go yet! Here are a few of my favorites from the game.

Dovers defender Josh Passley is wresstled to the ground by Wrexhams forward Stuart Beavon during the opening National League match between Dover Athletic and Wrexham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 04 August 2018.

I think its far too early to start making any far reaching statements, there is a load of talent in the new Dover squad given time I am convinced they will be right up there.

Dovers defender Tim Schmoll and Wrexhams midfielder Luke Young clash mid field during the opening National League match between Dover Athletic and Wrexham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 04 August 2018.

Dover Athletic FC V Gillingham FC a pre-season friendly. It always seems slightly odd starting the season in July when you need a hat and sun cream in the not too distant future it will be wooly hats and scarfs!

Dover, was much still getting used to its new players. By my reckoning the Gillingham select XI had at least 6 starting players. Three of which were their back line. Gillingham wound up three to nothing winners, but in a friendly with trialists playing the scoreline is imaterial.

Dover’s Anthony Jeffrey rides a tackle by Gillingham’s Max Ehmer during the pre-season friendly match between Dover Athletic and Gillingham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 21 July 2018.

There is a full gallery available for licence here, self billing applies in all cases. For now here are a few of my favorites. I must admit the back line for Dover is shaping up to be mountainous!

Action from the pre-season friendly match between Dover Athletic and Gillingham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 21 July 2018.

Dover’s Nortei Nortey on the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Dover Athletic and Gillingham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 21 July 2018.

It might only be a friendly but Dover’s Connor Essam holds his head after Gillingham go 3 goals up

Action from the pre-season friendly match between Dover Athletic and Gillingham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 21 July 2018.

Dover’s Jamie Allen on the ball closely shadowed by Gillingham’s Aaron Simpson during the pre-season friendly match between Dover Athletic and Gillingham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 21 July 2018. Gillingham ran out 3 to nothing winners. Photo by Matt Bristow.

Dover Athletic v Tranmere Rovers – As the 2018 season draws to its conclusion the games become more and more edgy. Tranmere Rovers are chasing the top spot and Dover Athletic are chasing a place in the newly reorganised play-offs. Unfortunately for the young Dover Athletic side they came up against a very inform experienced Tranmere Rovers side. The visitors ran out winners by a single goal thanks to Tranmere’s Andy Cook.

It was a very physical game, here are a selection of pictures. There is a full gallery that is available for licenced use here.

Dover Athletic v Torquay United. As the season gets to the sharp end and play-off places are hard fought for. It made a change to actually have sunshine. I know as a sports photographer moaning comes with the job but still I thought I was about to start to rust. The game itself was a meeting of teams at both ends of the league and neither team wanted to take any risks. Here are a few of my favorites. There is a full gallery here.

I give you the footballer totam pole! Although nobody seems particularly happy!

Dover Athletic v Dagenham and Redbridge FC. The Whites were looking to pull themselves out of a lack lustre run and get back into the playoff running. Right from the start they looked like a side on a mission. It was Mitch Pinnocks overhead kick that turned out to be the winner. It could quite possibly turn out to be a contender for the goal of the season.

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock scores with a spectacular over head kick during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 6 January 2018.

It was one of those goals that you sit there watching thinking; “Hes not going to try that is he?…. oh he has, well surely he wont score…..Damn!” Then much to my surprise he reeled around and ran right at me (cheers for that ;)). So much so I had to shout stop at him to stop him getting to close so I could keep taking pictures! But what is pulling the shorts up high all about?

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock elated after scoring his spectacular over head kicked goal during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 6 January 2018.

Here are a few favourites from the game

Dover’s midefiedler Liam Bellamy heads the ball on during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

Dovers Mitch Pinnock rushes to celebrate after scoring during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock tries to copntrol a high ball during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey and Dagenhams defender Craig Robson during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

Dover’s forward Kadell Daniel during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

Dover’s midefiedler Liam Bellamy just gets a toe to the ball ahead of two Dagenham players during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle and Dagenhams defender Craig Robson battle over the ball as Dagenhams keeper Mark Cousins comes to the ball during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

So torrential rain and a game that was too close to call what was not to like! Sadly it wasn’t to be Dovers day as Sutton ran out winners by a single goal. Despite being reduced to 10 men and surviving a barrage of pressure from Dover during the closing minutes the equaliser remaind elusive. The frustrastion on the Dover players faces is clear to see.